Several months ago, I was invited to enter a confidential process to discern a call to be the Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese of Newark, in New Jersey. I have been raised up for election to this ministry, along with three others. I am sharing this news with you now because I want you to hear it from me, as it is shared with the people of the Diocese of Newark this morning, and I need to ask for your prayers. I am committed to my ministry here and excited by it, and I feel I must be faithful to what may be God's calling. Whatever happens, I know we will all be serving God with faithfulness.

The next step for me in this process is that I will be introduced in person to the people of the Diocese of Newark, along with the other nominees, during a walkabout process in early May. The election will occur on May 19. The ordination of the bishop will be held September 22.

I invite you to meet with me and members of the Vestry next Sunday, March 11, at either 9:30 a.m. or noon in Pecore Hall to ask any questions you may have. My central focus will remain the ministry of St. Stephen’s.

Each Sunday in Kadosh Adult Formation we end our time together by reciting Isaiah 6:8: "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” We have been forming ourselves to hear and respond to God's calling and sending...it has become an expectation. Regardless of the outcome of the Diocese of Newark’s decision, I am excited for what is to come at St. Stephen’s and I know we will all be engaged in this ministry together.